Taiwanese officials are worried that their island might get pushed to the sidelines after a phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and former US President Donald Trump. The conversation mostly covered trade issues, but Xi also warned the US to be careful with Taiwan, calling out "fringe separatists" who could spark conflict. Trump’s response on social media didn’t ease those fears, leaving Taiwan anxious about its place in US-China relations.

Editor’s Note: Taiwan is caught in the middle of US-China tensions, and this call shows Beijing’s pressure on Washington to back off supporting the island. For Taiwan, it’s a reminder that its future could hinge on deals made between superpowers—something that feels unsettling when China sees Taiwan as a breakaway region, not an independent country. This isn’t just diplomatic noise; it’s about real risks to Taiwan’s security and global standing.

When Presidents Trump and Xi had their big phone call to discuss trade, one key player was noticeably absent: Secretary of State Marco Rubio. His lack of involvement in the prep work and follow-up announcements has people wondering how much sway he really has in US-China relations. Trump called the chat "very positive," but Rubio’s no-show adds an awkward layer to the diplomatic dance.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about trade talks—it’s a subtle power play. Rubio’s absence hints at possible tensions or shifting dynamics within the administration’s approach to China. If key players are being sidelined, it could signal bigger strategy changes (or internal disagreements) behind the scenes. For anyone watching US-China relations, who’s not in the room matters almost as much as who is.

More than 700 U.S. scholars who specialize in China studies are pushing back against Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s plans to tighten visa rules for Chinese students. They’ve sent a petition urging him to pause the proposed restrictions, which include revoking visas for students with ties to China’s Communist Party or those studying in sensitive fields. The scholars argue these measures could harm academic exchange and U.S.-China relations.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about visas—it’s a clash between national security concerns and the value of open academic collaboration. The scholars’ pushback highlights worries that overly broad restrictions could backfire, stifling research partnerships and fueling distrust. With U.S.-China tensions already high, this move could ripple through universities, research labs, and diplomatic channels.

China is signaling a desire to mend fences with Canada, with Premier Li Qiang telling Canadian PM Mark Carney in a recent call that Beijing wants to steer relations toward a "healthy and stable" path. This comes as trade tensions between the two countries—spurred by disputes over everything from tariffs to geopolitical spats—have strained economic ties.

Editor’s Note: After years of frosty relations, China seems to be extending an olive branch. For Canada, this could mean easing trade headaches and reopening key markets, but skepticism remains given past friction. The real test? Whether warm words translate into concrete actions—like lifting trade barriers or resolving long-standing disputes.

Canada and China are moving to stabilize their diplomatic and trade relations after high-level talks between Canadian official Mark Carney and Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The focus is on lifting Chinese tariffs that have been hurting Canadian farmers and seafood exporters—a sign both sides want to ease tensions.

Editor’s Note: Trade spats between Canada and China have been messy, especially after years of political friction. If these talks lead to real progress—like dropping those tariffs—it could mean relief for Canadian producers who’ve been caught in the crossfire. But given the rocky history, it’s a "wait and see" situation.

Despite a rare, seemingly friendly phone call between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump—hinting at a possible easing of U.S.-China tensions—factory workers and manufacturers in China aren’t exactly popping champagne. Years of unpredictable policy swings and Trump’s mercurial style have left them wary. Many are holding off on big decisions until they see more concrete signs of stability. As one industry rep put it, "No one jumps on Trump’s word anymore."

Editor’s Note: High-level diplomacy might grab headlines, but for businesses on the ground, trust is in short supply. This disconnect shows how deeply Trump’s erratic approach has rattled China’s industrial backbone—and why even "positive" political gestures won’t quickly undo the damage. Until there’s real policy consistency, caution will rule.

Alibaba just dropped its latest AI models—the Qwen3 Embedding series—giving developers new tools to work with. This move reinforces the company’s strong position in the global open-source AI race, building on its already popular large language models (LLMs). Hugging Face, a major AI platform, ranks Alibaba’s models among the world’s most widely used, so this release is a big deal for the tech community.

Editor’s Note: Alibaba isn’t just playing in the AI space—it’s shaping it. By releasing advanced, open-source models, they’re giving developers worldwide access to cutting-edge tech, which could speed up innovation across industries. For China’s tech scene, it’s another sign of global competitiveness, and for the rest of us, it means more powerful (and free) AI tools to experiment with.

China is rolling out 10 new experimental "data zones" across regions like Beijing and Zhejiang as part of its push to supercharge its digital economy and keep pace with the U.S. in the AI race. These zones will act as testing grounds for local governments to develop data-driven businesses and grow the country’s data market—essentially doubling down on China’s strategy to become a global tech leader.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just bureaucratic shuffling—it’s a clear signal that China is serious about dominating the digital future. With AI and data becoming the new battleground for global influence, these zones could give China an edge in innovation (and maybe even a leg up on the U.S.). For businesses and investors, it’s a heads-up: China’s data economy is about to get a lot more structured—and competitive.

Sri Lanka and China might finally be reviving talks on a long-stalled free-trade agreement (FTA), first proposed a decade ago but shelved due to disagreements. While Sri Lankan officials hope the deal could shrink their massive trade deficit with China, experts aren’t holding their breath—they say even if signed, the benefits for Sri Lanka’s struggling economy could take years to materialize.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about tariffs—it’s a high-stakes balancing act for Sri Lanka. The country’s drowning in debt and desperate for economic lifelines, but critics worry China’s deals often favor its own interests. If the FTA happens, it could signal deeper ties with Beijing, but don’t expect quick fixes for Sri Lanka’s financial woes. For China, it’s another chess move in its regional influence game.